New Citizen Lagat Sets Meet Mark

In his first race since becoming a United States citizen, Bernard Lagat did not disappoint with a record-breaking performance Friday night to highlight the Distance Carnival of the Mt. San Antonio College Relays in Walnut.

Lagat, who officially became an American on March 29, broke his meet record in the Invitational 5,000 meters with a time of 13 minutes 14.71 seconds.

“I really love running at Mt. SAC because of the fans,” said Lagat, who set the previous meet record of 13:19.14 in 2002. “They gave me applause before the race and cheered me on throughout. They really made me feel appreciated.”

Lagat, who lives in Tucson, is a two-time Olympic medalist for Kenya in the 1,500 meters, having won a bronze medal in 2000 and a silver in 2004. He has the world’s second-fastest time in the 1,500, with a career best mark of 3:26.34, established in 2001.

At Mt. SAC, Lagat used his closing speed to break a tight race, pulling away in the final mile and finishing the race with a 60.1-second last lap. Boaz Cheboiywo of Kenya finished second at 13:22.12 and Christian Belz of Switzerland third at 13:26.82.

“I came in hoping to run 13:15, but I was feeling good [with four laps remaining], so I said there’s no need not to go [for the record],” said Lagat, the 2004 world indoor champion at 3,000 meters.

“I was running 64 [-second laps] and then dropped down to 62. ... It is amazing how I felt.”

Because of his recent change in citizenship, Lagat, 30, is ineligible to compete at this year’s World Championships because international track rules require a three-year wait. But Lagat said he hopes that Kenya’s national athletics federation grants him an early release so he can represent the U.S. next year.

“I’m really looking forward to running for the U.S.,” said Lagat, who graduated from Washington State and has lived in the U.S. since 1996. “Everywhere I run in the U.S., whether it’s New York, Arkansas or here at Mt. SAC. I love to give the fans something special.”

Solomon Kandie of Kenya was also impressive, winning the Invitational 3,000-meter steeplechase for the second year in a row with a time of 8:35.04.